Anonymous war on Isis: Online activists claim to have foiled terror attack on Italy as part of 'Operation Isis' … Supporters of Anonymous have been working to shut down Twitter accounts and websites, but claims to have now disrupted attacks in the real world too. – UK Independent

Dominant Social Theme: Anonymous is full of modern day heroes.

Free-Market Analysis: Do we believe it? Do we really believe that a group of adolescents have formed themselves into a quasi-military worldwide unit to do the "dirty work" Uncle Sam doesn't have the competence or willingness to do?

What warriors these kids must be. Stubbled with acne, they roll out of bed in their parents' basements and get to work attacking US enemies across the continents. They watch CNN and FOX with the earnest concentration of acolytes and then without a spoken word coordinate their deadly cyberattacks with each other and with the CIA.

It really reads like a Hollywood movie, doesn't it? Isn't there a script here just waiting to pop out? It could be written, directed and produced by Kathryn Bigelow who already has a track-record cooperating with the CIA via her famous movie "Zero Dark Thirty" that showed clearly how effective torture was in extracting terrorism's deepest secrets. The only trouble is that it wasn't true.

Torture did not extract the whereabouts of Bin Laden. The SEALS likely did not kill Bin Laden – mainly because Bin Laden had probably died more than a decade before in a French hospital where he was receiving dialysis for Marfan Syndrome. Maybe he trekked around Afghanistan with a portable dialysis machine, but maybe he didn't.

FBI Agent: We've Dismantled The Leaders Of Anonymous …The hacker collective Anonymous has not produced as many high-profile cyber attacks as it once did, a drop-off that can be directly attributed to the arrests of the group's core members, an FBI official told The Huffington Post this week.

Starting in late 2010, Anonymous captured worldwide attention through a series of attacks against U.S. companies and government agencies, stealing data and defacing or crashing websites.

But the arrests last year of five members of Lulz Security, an influential splinter group of hackers, had a "huge deterrent effect" on Anonymous by creating an "added layer of distrust" within the hacking group, according to Austin P. Berglas, assistant special agent in charge of the FBI's cyber division in New York.

… The 2012 arrests relied on the help of a key informant, Hector Monsegur, aka "Sabu," who was caught and then cooperated with the FBI.

So the head of Anonymous was caught and the organization (if it really existed) was thoroughly penetrated. Or maybe US Intel agencies set it up to begin with. Large amounts of funding are dependent on intel ops' supposed competence, and surely the best way to guarantee it is to set up a false flag over which one can then claim victory.

Color us skeptical. It's amazing, for instance, how Anonymous's attacks are aimed at enemies of NATO. And apparently the members of such an organization have not bothered to read the many articles tracking the funding, creation and maintenance of ISIS or whatever it is called to Western black ops and allies like Saudi Arabia.

Each year more than one trillion dollars goes up in smoke. More accurately, it is stolen from the middle and working classes and shipped off to the one percent. I am talking about the massive yearly bill to maintain the US empire.

Washington's warmongers have sold the lie that the military budget has been gutted under President Obama, but even when the "Sequester" was in effect military spending continued to increase.

Only the pace of increase was reduced, not actual spending. None of this trillion dollars taken from us is spent to keep us safe, despite what politicians say. In fact, this great rip-off actually makes us less safe and more vulnerable to a terrorist attack thanks to resentment overseas at our interventions and to the blowback it produces.

Paul has a distinctly different view than the mainstream media. He writes, "A new Cold War is a bonanza for the military-industrial complex, the pro-war think tanks, and the politicians. NATO is on the move in eastern Europe, placing heavy weapons right on Russia's border and then blaming the Russians when they complain about the rising militarism."

He also believes there is a solution. "The good news is we do not need a majority to succeed in our fight for peace and liberty. We need only a dedicated and uncompromising critical mass to make great headway."

Paul is suggesting that people educate themselves about the reality of the military-industrial complex and the "directed history" it uses to justify its actions.

He also calls for peace, explaining that education is the key to expanding the non-intervention movement.

We can tell others about the wealth of truth available to those who seek and question. We must not compromise and never accept the lesser of two evils. If the people demand peace, the politicians will follow. Let's demand peace in 2016!

There's nothing wrong with this perspective! In fact, it's an admirable one. But in pursuing it, one must also acknowledge the chances for success may not be very high.

It comes down to whether or not fanatical Muslim groups really are trying to dominate the world and spread Islam everywhere. If they are then non-intervention isn’t going to stop that. Sometimes I think Ron Paul is just as naive as Jimmy Carter and George W. Bush, among others.

If the US and Saudi Arabia helped form and support ISIS then how is ISIS going to “dominate and spread Islam everywhere?” They seem to be a controlled opposition.

Bruce C.

If that’s all there is to it then I agree, but Muslims have been aggressive for hundreds of years and Islam does advocate a kind of imperialism. Until recently they’ve been pretty contained but now that they’re gaining access to more military technology they’re actually using it. If the US and others would/could restrict that access then maybe they would stay contained – still fanatical, etc., but contained. I definitely support that kind of (non) intervention, but if the cat’s out of the bag on military proliferation worldwide then the West better take their threat seriously.

It’s a frustrating situation because a good offense is the best defense but the MIC definitely seems subversive and counterproductive – another conspiracy theory.

dave jr

Are you using the terms ‘Muslim’ / ‘Islam’ and ‘fanatical’ interchangeably? Would you be offended if someone said Christians have been aggressive for hundreds of years? Lets throw some water on the fire, not gasoline.

Bruce C.

If you’re referring to the Crusades, remember that the Christians/Europeans were reacting to the incessant aggressions by the Muslims in Europe. I know modern “education” likes to claim that the Christians started it but they didn’t. What happened was the Europeans finally said ‘enough is enough’. The same thing may happen now. If “ISIS” – or whatever or however you want to frame it – continues to antagonize “hopefully” the West is going to “get pissed” and kick ass. I don’t want it to get to that but two factors are operating now: The Progressive-Islamic/Globalists – whatever or however you want to frame it – WANT Western culture broken down, and the multiculturalism and lack of knowledge of history and, frankly, a refusal to accept the reality that Islam is an imperialistic “religion”/political system. There has been a war of attrition between the West and the Muslim world for hundreds of years. It’s only recently that the Muslim world has had access to such devastating weaponry, enabled by Socialist/Progressives whose myopic aims are (temporarily) aligned.

What’s so F—ed up is that the MIC is a problem in itself. Unfortunately, there seems to be a strain in most humans that is cynical and self-serving, but in the worst sense of the term. Evidently, the fantasy is that the MIC and the military itself are ultimate nationalists and patriots, and work to protect the ideals of the US Constitution and Declaration. Instead, they think they’re oh-so-clever to instigate problems to create “markets” and needs for their services. It’s perverse and grotesque. I can understand the business dilemma of creating such an effective military that it is never used. Profits and promotions can be stifled. It’s an interesting problem. Nevertheless, I do think a good offense is the best defense, which is what it’s all about as far as I’m concerned.

Ironically, although it’s good that things are so good in America that people think the rest of the world is hunky dory too, I just don’t think that’s true. There are some crazy ideas out there that a billion-plus people believe. I’m not a Christian, but I know enough to know that it’s not imperialistic and repressive like Islam is.

dave jr

I don’t have to go back to the crusades. I can hear enough of it in my neighborhood, business acquaintances, friends and even family. The bully does not act out of strength but weakness. The strong need not act ‘over there’ if they were truly strong and secure in themselves.

Bruce C.

Christians are probably the most persecuted religious group on the planet. ISIS members are killing thousands of them “over there.” Maybe they don’t feel strong and secure enough. Too bad for them.

Obama agrees with you.

dave jr

There is a difference between the ‘strong’ and the ’empowered’. Yes, there are geo-sociopolitical, militaristic shenanigans going on. I didn’t claim to address that. You can fuel it with your idealistic support, or you can call foul on it with your God given big brain. It is your choice alone and you can live with it alone. I say alone because thereafter, nobody else can repair your conscience.

Bruce C.

I’m saying that this isn’t a religious war between Muslims and Christians. It’s a war between an Islamic political system and everybody else. It’s like Hitler’s Third Reich idea. If you weren’t Aryan then you had to go. That’s what people who believe in Islam think, like it or not.

dave jr

“That’s what people who believe in Islam think, like it or not.”
.
That is what I see on TV too. That is not what I experience and sense in reality. Call me a fool.

Bruce C.

Just read the Quran.

I’d link you to a quote from Osama Bin Laden too but “the eye in the sky” might not like that.

Basically, in claiming to speak for all Muslims, any “infidel” who does not believe, or outwardly complies and acts as though, will be killed.

One could marginalize him as being a fanatic, but there seems to be a lot of others who agree.

And, btw, I don’t see much of that on TV. Instead they like to say that is NOT Islam, but something else – like what Obama says.

45clive

If you really want to read some horrors in the name of God and his Chosen People, read the Talmud. It makes the Old Testament read like a friendly pick up game.

Bruce C.

That may be true, and there are other examples as well, the problem is however that very few if any people who subscribe to other religions actually believe and act on those ancient teachings. A lot of Muslims today still believe what’s in the Quran, literally. I don’t think anyone else would care if they kept everything contained within their own countries but instead they want to spread it all over the world.

Shark-Proof

The old “He started it” defense. Timeless.

dave jr

This article makes me wonder how is a cyber geek to get a job nowadays amongst a flood of job seekers? Launch a successful cyber attack, claim responsibility or leave a bread crumb trail and the employer (gov or corp) comes to you. I suppose, tarnished or not, the résumé becomes impressive.

bouf

Bunch of pimly-faced adolescents? You think the people who do the hacking go out in the street with masks on? Hurm.

If the west and the military industrial complex which is driving the geo-strategic political agenda, were abated, then the folks who have declared their hate for the west would be a force without a cause, and the nation states in the ME would be forced to deal with their own problems, because they would be isolated politically and militarily. This will never happen of course because the forces inside the beltway who profit from the discord have too much skin in the game. Ron Paul has always explained this meme, but it falls on deaf ears, because there is no monetary or political mileage to be gained from such a position. the American people in particular and the western nations peoples in general have been deceived by duplicitous politicians and perfidious corporate agendas for the last century, but now a communications revolution has taken hold, and these agendas are becoming increasingly transparent and exposed. It may however, take a more rigorous dedicated revolution to change anything, since those powers in charge, will resort to any length, and level of coercion to maintain the status quo. Lock and load……..

dave jr

I think you are right. ‘Developed’ peoples (not just western) are deceived, but also deceive themselves, by buying into the green agenda purported help, preached as helping the earth. Everyone likes the energy density of fossil fuels and the easy standard of living it affords, even while being indoctrinated to rail against their own self interests. For example, technology helps clean up fossil fuel exhaust which now emits primarily water and CO2, which greens the earth. Our Creator helps us when we engage the gifted standard issue brain. He does not need our help, as His planet has the capacity to heal and evolve long after civilizations do themselves in.
.
The highest energy profit yielding light sweet crude, and the cabal hijacked monetary (financial) system gravitated around it, is what is needed to command and control mankind within the current economic paradigm, in which we currently love and live. The energy profit known as EROEI (energy recovered over energy invested) as a rudimentary economic unit, which all business lives or dies by, may be waning and putting stress on standards of living, but a free market is best equipped to sort things out and map future endeavors towards conservancy, efficiency and alternate sources. The reducing EROEI is also putting a disproportionate strain on the ‘controllers’ who now need to secure and meter any and all natural free market solutions, otherwise it would undermine their monopoly structures built on the highest yielding EROEI. Instead we get subsidized and unprofitable energy sinks, politically regulated reductions in living standards, destruction of middle class business enterprises, media fired shame for being human with ‘foot prints’; all in the name of preserving a desperate command and control, final global economic conquest solution. Basically, we are being guilted into dungeon cells as an utopia, all safe and secure. All other ‘unsafe’ options and outcomes been intentionally demolished and cut off.
.
War as a last ditch effort, is aimed at those who do not comply, requires ‘sides’. Religion, as always, still fits the bill. There is a God (Creator), and there are personal gods waging war for space, time and influence within the shallowest crevices of our minds. WE are not a god (or best buds with), and we are not a dog, bred for absolute loyalty. My hope is that all members of humanity will embrace their earned and legitimate standing in between these malicious extremes.

One stereotypical characterization of “hackers” portrays them as brilliant but adolescent. We were exaggerating the stereotype to dramatize a larger, serious point about how US intel services exploit certain narratives for their own purposes. Why our characterization concerns you more than than our larger point about US intel is a bit puzzling to us. Anyway, see here from the New York Times.

Teenagers are not usually the main targets of the F.B.I., whose agents are used to dealing with hardened criminals. But for the Cyber Division, they appear to be the norm.

On Tuesday, indictments against six hackers were unsealed in New York; two of the six are under age 20. Three weeks ago, a hacked conversation between the Feds and top British cybercops revealed how their targets in a series of joint investigations were all in their teens. The youngest was just 15.

In some hacking circles, 15 would be considered middle-aged. Markus, a young German hacker I interviewed, was 13 when he began cracking the code on computer games. His own hard drive was too small to store all the games he had pirated, so this gifted yet introverted middle-class boy started hacking company servers across the world …

Praetor

My son has a friend who hacked a Japanese corporations system in the mid-90’s. The corporation contacted the FBI. The FBI visited the young lad, and the young lad got a free trip to Japan. The young lad told the story of his meeting the corporate Ex’s, to have a sit-down. They just wanted to know how he did that. The young lad was 12. The lad now works for the corporation. Hmm!!

lulu

I believe the focus on the youth of the real or imagined hero hackers is a result of a recognition of how understanding the depth and breath of computer technology and capability is beyond the reach of not only the average person but also is the domain of a certain character type and age which we do not understand or perhaps trust. That government cheats, manipulates, and lies, most perhaps found nothing new. That the anti social kid next door can be a high rolling hacker is at least fascinating. Maybe even a modern day boy version of Superman if he doesn’t value only $$$.

lulu

Did I miss something? Where do we know that Anonymous is composed of kids and if it is why not?

When I was a kid, I would get a toy for Christmas. The first thing I did, take it apart and see how it worked. Since the 90’s these kids have been playing with their internet toys. Who is to say what the next generation of internet kids will do. Cars can be hacked, electrical grids can be hacked, your home can be hacked. As time goes on the kids will take it apart and see how it works. We can hope the kids won’t be incorporated into the system the Elites want to form. Maybe the future internet kids will use their abilities to enlighten and inform, and spread Internet Reformation of Information. One can only hope for the best and prepare for the worst!!!

Gwanggaeto

If one examines Anonymous attacks, it’s difficult not see them as members of a US deep state group. It would be comforting, though, to think hackers the-world-over have united against the evil US empire. And, perhaps, they have, to some degree. But I have my doubts. I suspect, in the future, the real cyber attack will come from within.